CAREER

Disaster or Opportunity?

By Dan Miller 48days.com

CBN.com –
At 44 years old, Phil had attained an amazing level of career success. Growing up in a family without TV, he had developed an early appreciation of books. Now, after 25 years in the publishing industry, he was head of an $80 million division of one of the world’s largest and most respected publishers. He knew that being there was part of his calling. And yet he recognized a “growing dissonance” with the pressures from New York stockholders on the bottom line at the expense of product and customer focus. However, he assumed he needed to “suck it up, and stay – out of fear and a sense of responsibility.”

His unrest was addressed on a fateful day in 2004 when, rather than receiving an expected promotion, he was given a severance package and the invitation to clean out his desk. While that experience was “scary and humbling,” Phil says his thought was, “You’ve answered the prayer of my heart – not my lips, but my heart.” He says he would never have taken the “risk” of leaving on his own.

Today Phil has capitalized on an exploding trend in publishing – downloadable audio books. His company, eAudioSource.com, is a leading provider of audio books and Bibles. You may notice that he is one of our 48 Days recommended businesses. He simply found a new, innovative, and fitting opportunity with even more potential for both time freedom and income than anything he had experienced in previous positions. In place of the challenges of a traditional publishing house, his “store” is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with no employees, no physical inventory, and no limits to expansion. He is using every bit of his background, his valuable relationships, and his unique expertise. He is still in publishing and, more importantly, is still fulfilling his same mission and calling in his life.

What a great example of taking one of those unexpected yet inevitable transitions that life brings us and using it as a springboard for even greater success – personally, in relationships, and in creating balanced, fulfilling, purposeful, and profitable work.

Many of you are walking through similar transitions right now. Was losing your job or business a tragedy or a blessing? Are you expecting to use your background to create a more fulfilling new season in your life – or are you expecting less? Remember the biblical truth “As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.”

Check out Phil’s special offer for 48 Days members for The Word of Promise Audio Bible. You’ll hear the Scripture come alive with readings by well-known actors such as Jim Caviezel (Jesus in the Mel Gibson’s Passion movie), Richard Dreyfus, Lou Gossett Jr., Michael Smith, Rebecca St. James, and others.

Freelance Work: Is It Right For You?

If you are a graphic artist, Web site designer, accountant, data management expert, sports trainer, or other such specialist, you may elect to find four or five companies that could use your services but are not large enough to employ you full-time. This way of working can be a tremendous advantage for both you and the companies who hire you. They get your expertise but don’t have to find things for you to do for 40 hours a week. You have just increased your security by having four or five clients instead of one. If one company “fires” you, it will be necessary to replace only that 20 percent of your business, not the 100 percent that you’d have to replace after parting with a traditional job.

As a freelancer, you can reasonably expect to triple your hourly income. Therefore, if you were making $15 an hour as a salaried graphic designer, you should expect to move up to $45. You can’t expect to bill for 40 hours a week, but perhaps 25-30, still effectively doubling your income. Yes, you will have to allow for benefits that may not be provided. But there is nothing magical about benefits—they all translate into money. For example, just calculate the real value of your health insurance and build it into your plan. There are great insurance packages available for freelancers and the self-employed.

A couple of years ago I helped Monica, a graphic designer, do exactly what I just described. She actually went from $12.50 to $40.00 per hour, but quickly realized that was just a fraction of what she could be making. She began bidding her work by the project rather than by the hour and made over $100,000 the second year, doing primarily record label graphic design. She has three computers set up in her home, working the flexible time she desires as a single mom.

Is Freelance Work Right for You?

Do you feel like much of what you currently do is outside your strongest skill area?

Would you be more energized by working with multiple companies while focusing on your area of expertise with each of them?

Are you self-disciplined and determined?

Would you like to join the growing number of people like you who have moved into a more creative work model? My 212º Connection members put themselves in the driver’s seat: You Can Too!

48 Days Radio

I began this podcast by relating the story of how a young guy here in Nashville got me to a private lunch meeting by doing something “remarkable.” Are you doing anything that is “remarkable,” or are you just one more reliable, dependable, average Joe?

I also talked about how more education frequently traps people rather than giving them more options. Having a Ph.D., M.D., D.D.S, J.D., D.Min., or whatever may reduce your perceived options for moving forward. And making a lot of money may appear to be more limiting than if you’re broke.

And, of course, I answered lots of questions from readers as well.

If you have a question, just click on this 48 Days Online Radio link and you can ask about starting your own business, getting a better job, or finding your purpose in life.

Humor: Employee Notice

Sickness And Related Leave:
We will no longer accept a doctor's statement as proof of sickness. If you are able to go to the doctor, you are able to come to work.

Your Own Death:
This will be accepted as an excuse. However, we require at least two weeks notice as it is your duty to train your replacement.

Rest Room Use:
Entirely too much time is being spent in the rest room. In the future, we will follow the practice of going in alphabetical order. For example, those whose names begin with 'A' will go from 8:00 to 8:10 a.m., employees whose names begin with 'B' will go from 8:10 to 8:20 a.m., and so on. If you're unable to go at your time, it will be necessary to wait until the next day when your time comes again. In addition, there is now a strict three-minute time limit in the stalls. At the end of three minutes, an alarm bell will sound, the toilet paper roll will retract, and the stall door will open.

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Thank you for your loyalty to our company.

48 Days Featured Businesses

PinkLifeline.com
If you are a woman, you need to take a moment and pay attention to this now: Breast cancer is rampant and all women are at risk. The No. 1 source of prevention is early detection! And Susanne Ballard of Pink Lifeline has the best source for achieving this in a small and inexpensive kit that you can use monthly. Dan's wife and daughter-in-law both have them. This is serious.

eAudioSource.comEAudioSource.com is a leader in downloadable audio Bibles and books, and was developed by Dan’s longtime friend Phil Stoner. He used his 25 years experience in the publishing world, and is passing along the benefits to customers. You’ll find MP3 and iPod compatible formats. You’ll find prices lower than anywhere else. We’ve worked with Phil to provide an even greater savings for the 48 Days audience on the exciting new audio Bible, The Word of Promise New Testament. You have to check out the incredible Hollywood cast who is reading this. Visit this special web page and you’ll save an amazing 60%, only available to 48 Days subscribers.

Chuck Bowen Coaching -Financial, Career & Business
If your finances aren’t in order, you need to contact Chuck. If you have a business you need to get in order, you need to contact Chuck. Seeking your calling in your career? Call Chuck Bowen Coaching. He trains Dave Ramsey financial coaches and is President of Dan Miller’s 212 Connection. What better proof is there?! Contact Chuck Bowen Coaching now!

More Recommended Resources

Need to find your music?
The most popular product in the 48 Days arsenal continues to be the Computerized Personality Report. Before you begin seeking a better job or self-employment, you need to be sure you are pursuing opportunities that match your personality style and will fulfill and reward you for a lifetime!

Dan Miller is the bestselling author of 48 Days To The Work You Love and a renowned Life Coach specializing in career fulfillment. His weekly newsletter reaches 70,000 subscribers. Dan’s articles are featured here at CBN every Tuesday, and you can find out more about Dan at www.48days.com.